Robert Adam
Robert Adam - A Famous Scot - Architect & Interior Designer
Robert Adam (1728-1792) was a Scottish architect and interior designer. Robert was the most distinguished of four brothers who were all architects. Their father was also a famous Scots architect. John, the eldest, remained in Scotland but James was closely associated with his brother Robert in organising a family firm in London. Their brother, William, was also involved with the business (on the financial side) but sadly died in povererty.
Robert Adam was the main initiator of the family and ranks as an outstanding genius in the history of British architecture (often mistakenly refered to as English). Robert Adam gained much knowledge during his travels as a young man, travelling through France and Italy, being influenced by both classical and renascent buildings.
Robert Adam returned to England in 1760 and one of his earliest works was the screen and gateway to the Admiralty in London. Following this triumph most of his following work was in remodelling and enlarging existing houses of the wealthy. Robert Adam redesigned Syon House at Brentford for the Duke of Northumberland, Kenwood House at Hampstead for the Earl of Manfield, Osterley Park, Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire, Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire and Harewood House in Yorkshire. In Sotland Robert Adam designed the Record Office and the new buildings of the University of Edinburgh.
The Adams brothers engaged in a town-planning scheme in London called the Adelphi (Greek for brothers). The Adelphi had fine streets and well designed buildings on a terrace formed of massive vaults which opened on the River. Unfortunately this private venture was a failure making heavy loses.
Most famously Robert Adam developed interior design, developing the use of delicately moulded stucco forms and medallions on ceilings and walls, with backgrounds coloured in fine shades of green and blue. Robert designed every aspect of a room including the carpets, which would match the ceilings, the curtains, furniture, doors and possibly the most famous aspect of an Adams room, the mantlepiece. Most of Adams designs were copied by contemporary cabinet makers and is so doing the Adams style widened.
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